Classified however the reason for the Alerts is to make sure we have enough weapons in the air to defend the country. Those Alerts were year round and you can bet your money that we were not going to defend the country with empty bombays.
Our on base housing was about 1/4 to 1/2 mile from the end of the runway. So when they took off it was climb as rapidly as possible and slam the Jato to it and we definitely felt it when they took off on our end. And once you got used to it you slept right through it. Funny how the body adjusts. Sleep right through a dozen B-52’s yet when the phone rang at 3 A.M. to warn of a problem or a mission and it knocked you out of bed.
We still have the B-52’s retired the 47’s and are leaning more toward the Fighter/Missile Technology every day.
Those were the days.
I agree with many here concerning those who don’t think before making mistaken and knee jerk statements such as the one this guy made. I also agree with others to give him credit for coming forward and admitting his mistake. Many liberals wouldn’t do 1/10th as much because they don’t understand what honor, respect, and self sacrifice are. I was raised in a military family and have many fond memories of SR-71’s, KC-135’s, some MAC and TAC aircraft taking off from Beale AFB in Northern California (at the time a SAC base). My father was a boom operator on 135’s. I was born at Beale. I spent 4 years stationed at Nellis AFB in Las Vegas many years later. The sound of those jets never bothered me because I was raised to know what that sound means – my freedom and to remember those who flew and paid the ultimate sacrifice for that freedom. I live far away from any military bases now, and I miss the sounds of freedom, but still remember and give thanks to those who have provided that freedom to me.